Alabama Football: Evolution of the Tide’s big-play offense

The offense of Alabama football has been one of the most dangerous in the sport this season.

2021 Heisman winner Bryce Young has been the point man, distributing the ball to a wide variety of weapons. Collectively, the unit has been efficient and very explosive.

Alabama ranks fourth nationally in points per game (48.4) and yards per game (525.0), as well as third in yards per play (7.8). Its balanced approach makes it one of just eight schools that rank in the top-40 in both rushing and passing yards per game.

Perhaps the most telling number the Alabama offense has posted is its FBS-leading seven plays of 50 or more yards. After receiving early season criticism for its lack of big plays, the offense has made them almost routine in recent weeks. The Tide has also proven it can generate explosive plays in a variety of ways.

Alabama Football: Increasingly explosive offense

In week one against Utah State, Alabama football got a 58-yard run from Jahmyr Gibbs on a traditional running play, and a 63-yard dash from Bryce Young on a scramble.

In week two against Texas, its only big play was an 81-yard run by Jase McClellan on a sweep. These were Alabama’s only plays of 50 or more yards through the first four games.

Against Arkansas last week, it got a 77-yard run from Jalen Milroe on a scramble, 76 and 72-yard runs from Jahmyr Gibbs, and a 53-yard pass completion from Bryce Young to Isaiah Bond.

The past two games have also seen Alabama connect on 47 and 41-yard pass completions from Bryce Young to Kobe Prentice, a 48-yard pass from Young to Jermaine Burton, and a 40-yard run from true freshman Jamarion Miller.

Alabama Football: Versatility and verticality

Alabama’s ability to generate explosives on the ground and through the air puts a lot of stress on opposing defenses. Safeties and cornerbacks have to constantly be wary of being beaten over the top. This opens up the short and intermediate passing game, where the speed and elusiveness of Bama’s receivers allows them to make big plays anyway.

Defenses must also play with gap integrity against the Alabama running game, as undisciplined or overly aggressive play can easily lead to a home run from the Tide’s speedy running back tandem. The fact that Alabama has two mobile quarterbacks that each have runs of over 60 yards in the first half of the season makes this offense even tougher to defend.

Until two weeks ago, the Texas A&M defense had not surrendered a 50-yard play. However, it has allowed a 56-yard touchdown pass against Arkansas and a 75-yard touchdown pass against Mississippi State since SEC play began.

It will be interesting to see if Alabama can capitalize on this trend.